Policy TRAN1 Priorities for the Development of the Transport Network
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 10590
Received: 19/08/2021
Respondent: Mr Ian Satterthwaite
As I have previously commented, the reopening of Stourbridge to Dudley (OWW main line) Dudley to Walsall (and beyond, South Staffordshire line) and Stourbridge to Wolverhampton (via Wombourne) line for local and THROUGH Passenger and goods services is vital to combatting this areas extremely congested roads
Object
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 10708
Received: 07/09/2021
Respondent: Mr Richard Slaughter
Object to all proposed road improvements/new road building, especially motorways.
Extending Metro from Brierley Hill to Stourbridge Junction, and from Wednesbury to Walsall along former heavy rail corridor in addition to Wednesbury to Brierley Hill sections already approved and under construction urgently needs to be moved to the top of the list of schemes for future funding.
Metro route on old railway line from Brockmoor to Wolverhampton via Wombourne in conjunction with South Staffs District Council should be another top priority.
Buses in West Midlands need to be taken over and directly operated by West Midlands Combined Transport Authority.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 10768
Received: 10/09/2021
Respondent: Mr John Batchelor
Reopen the Sutton Park line and South Staffs line to passengers
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 10800
Received: 10/09/2021
Respondent: NXD Consulting Ltd
The Black Country is blighted by empty and non-commercial high streets which, with more creative thinking, could be adapted to bring in smart residential units linking in with such things as the new metro extensions. Not only would town centres benefit from increased footfall but there would be a massive community benefit in having more affordable housing based within walking distance of public transport facilities for commuting to larger commercial centres such as Birmingham.
Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 10978
Received: 19/09/2021
Respondent: Jonathan Browning
Rapid transit should also include A456 Hagley Road. This aligns with the CRSTS submission for rapid transit development funding along this corridor
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11153
Received: 24/09/2021
Respondent: Mr Richard Carter
An available, efficient, easy to use and cost effective transport network is required to support employment, our industry, our economy and our society.
Ongoing green development of our transport network will require industry to provide innovative solutions which will support employment the economy.
Transport development and innovation hubs will create employment opportunities which will help to reduce levels of poverty.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11157
Received: 24/09/2021
Respondent: Mr Richard Carter
When it is suggested that many winter driving problems, especially those associated with heavy rainfall, ice and snow, can be overcome by the government passing legislation that requires allseason or winter tyres to be fitted to vehicles during the winter months (in line with existing requirements in Nordic and some European countries), a typical response is “the UK doesn’t have
enough snow to justify doing that”. This is despite the fact that, all too frequently, winter conditions are severe enough to induce panic and to practically bring the UK to its knees (the post New Year period in 2021 has been a prime example). If the reasoning behind making that response is examined, it can be determined that it is ill-considered because it is based on perception and
lack of knowledge rather than the following:
Most vehicles sold in the UK are supplied with summer tyres.
A vast majority of vehicle owners continue to drive on summer tyres in the winter months and/or in months where temperatures are known to fall to +7C (44.6F) or below.
At +7C, summer tyre compound begins to harden with the result that (source: https://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/ accessed 20/01/2021):
The tyre loses traction even when snow or ice isn’t present, e.g. in dry conditions or when it rains,
The tyre loses its ability to support acceleration,
Breaking distances dramatically increase,
The loss of elasticity makes the tyre more susceptible to cracking and chipping (which shortens its life),
Damage caused by low temperature use is not usually covered by tyre warranties.
Frequent gritting/salting; which eats into local authority budgets, is used in an attempt to improve driving conditions without considering that:
Authorities do not grit unless ice or snow conditions are forecast. Consequently, gritting will not reduce the incidents of seasonal aquaplaning or accidents caused
by wet or slippery roads,
Heavy snow and ice conditions invalidate the use of gritting,
Gritting will not improve how summer tyres perform in the winter. In fact, slushy conditions frequently make their performance worse.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11169
Received: 24/09/2021
Respondent: Mr Richard Carter
Passing legislation that requires summer tyres to be replaced with all season/all year or stud-less winter tyres during the winter months would:
Improve road safety, reduce the number of accidents and save lives;
Lower insurance premiums;
Reduce the burden on the police,
fire and ambulance / healthcare services and motoring organisations;
Dramatically decrease the amount of gritting required, its urgency and gritting related local authority costs,
Increase seasonal employment (more tyre fitters will be required);
Improve tyre industry, wholesaler and retailer productivity and turnover with a possible resultant increase in employment;
Allow more tyre retailers to introduce “Tyre Hotel & Swap” services;
Prevent the road infrastructure from closing down;
Allow life to continue as normal.
The picture above right was taken in a snow storm in Finland when the temperature was below freezing. When examining this picture, two questions need to be asked. Would traffic, and the transport system in particular, still be moving if the same situation arose in the UK and, would children still be walking home at the end of a perfectly normal school day?
Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11259
Received: 28/09/2021
Respondent: Mr. Dennis R Whittaker
Good, transport infrastructure is essential to facilitate Black Country regeneration by making it easier for people and goods to get from "a" to "b". A lifetime of travelling to work all over the WM conurbation, convinced me that, to deal with the problem of road congestion, some sort of off-road public transport network with Park & Ride was needed (Railways and/or Tramways and/or dedicated Busways). In our climate, Cycling is impractical. Adequate Car Parking needs to be provided within Town Centres to avoid deterring new residents, imprisoning existing ones and promoting their exodus - and to cater for external workers.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11316
Received: 29/09/2021
Respondent: Councillor Ray Burston
egarding public transport, the lay-out of new housing development needs to be sympathetic to efficient penetration by bus services. In particular, to avoid wherever possible the creation of large dead-end housing developments which, while the mitigate against rat-running by motorists, will involve buses having to double-back on themselves, resulting in inefficient, time-wasting - and often unviable - diversions to journeys.
Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11328
Received: 30/09/2021
Respondent: Miss Holly Harrison
BRING BACK MONORAIL
TRAM EXTENSION - ONLY UNCOOL PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TRAMS, YES TO EXTENSION
One might suggest bringing back the ever-loved monorail... sustainable transport anyone?
3-TRAM EXTENSION
Who doesn’t love a tram? Only uncool people don’t like trams. Great plans for the Wednesbury to Brierly Hill extension and consider doing more!
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11489
Received: 04/10/2021
Respondent: Woodsetton Charitable Trust
Re A463 Corridor
The Trust believes that there needs to be a recognition of and responses to the relationship of Wombourne and other areas to the west of the Black Country and realted movement issues.Reference has already been made to the A463 Corridor.
The trust does not beleive increasing road capacity would be a an appropriate response.However Public Transport must be improved.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11713
Received: 08/10/2021
Respondent: Woodsetton Charitable Trust
Re The A463 Corridor
Further to our earlier comments we would add the following:-
This corridor is an important gateway to the Black Country from the west.In consultation with the Staffordshire authorities the visual impact of the route could be enhanced by opening up vistas revealing the views from the road.
Re. Other Corridor enhancements
There would be benefits in terms of the attractiveness of the areas to residents,businesses and others of applying more widely the ideas of corridor enhancement contained with schematic illustrations in the Conurbation report published in 1948 and in part implemented along the A4123 in Oldbury
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 11765
Received: 08/10/2021
Respondent: Mr John Hemming
Smart motorways are dangerous & not the answer to the problem !
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 12646
Received: 15/10/2021
Respondent: Ms Joanne James
ITRAFFIC GENERATION/SECURITY Traffic generation from the proposed development would have an adverse effect on the traffic in the area in particular the island from Buchanan Road and the Mellish Road. This already has severe congestion during busy hours. Air quality and noise pollution will also be an issue.
Access from the Arboretum to the proposed development would surely offer poor levels of security and would raise a fear of crime in the area.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 12659
Received: 29/09/2021
Respondent: Chris Beebee
I am surprised that this application has ever been given a chance as numerous applications have previously turned down due to building on green belt, and impact on the local area and traffic system which is inadequate at present so more development of the local area can surely only make this situation worse.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 12666
Received: 29/09/2021
Respondent: Peter Kendrick
Associated with the 442 houses that are proposed i suggest there would be a minimum of 900 private vehicles leading to some 2000 journeys a day in and out of the immediate area. This area is unable to cope with the current volume of traffic with tailbacks on Lichfield Street, Mellish Road, Argyle Road, Cameron Road, Buchanan Avenue and Buchanan Road. the Ecological harm will therefore be severe to an area already suffers.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 12915
Received: 20/10/2021
Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Lloyd
Traffic concerns raised
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 13010
Received: 10/10/2021
Respondent: Mrs Elaine Baggott
Traffic concerns raised, volume and congestion.
Object
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 14201
Received: 03/10/2021
Respondent: Alan Darby
I object to policies TRAN1 and TRAN4 (and the Key Transport Diagram), in particular in the context of policy CSP3 (to which I will object separately) as manifested in 'strategic housing' proposals for Walsall. Those policies' combined effect seems to be to place large amounts of new housing in northern Walsall while ignoring that area's transport needs. Walsall already functions as a 'dormitory' for other West Midlands towns and cities, having vastly more homes than jobs, and this is especially true of its northern and eastern suburbs which are heavily reliant on travel by private car. This has resulted in severe road congestion, especially on A461, A4124 and B4154, which CSP3 will tend to exacerbate. Much employment- and retail- related and other travel in northern Walsall is east-west, broadly corresponding with the A5-M54 corridor which largely lacks public transport services (which tend to be radial, based on Birmingham). I do not see proposals for such services in the Draft Black Country Plan which, like recent transport investment in the West Midlands (for example Metro), does not serve Walsall (especially northeast of the town centre) well. The proposed reinstatement of Wolverhampton-Aldridge passenger rail services via Walsall is very welcome but that is too far south to serve most of the proposed urban extensions. TRAN1 and TRAN4 also seem not to preserve the former South Staffordshire Railway through Pelsall and Brownhills for railway reinstatement or to include it in any other mass transit network (utilising it only as a cycle route) and indeed do not include any key transport corridor improvements within the northern Walsall area identified for mass house-building. Even if realising the inter-regional and national benefits of reopening that railway to freight must be a longer-term goal, it is surely essential to reinstate rail-based rapid mass transit services to Pelsall and Brownhills before those areas are subjected to further - very large - housing developments. If, contrary to my analysis in objection to CSP3, a compelling case can be made for large-scale contiguous peripheral expansion of the conurbation in preference to new freestanding settlements, an acceptable quality of life for northern Walsall's current and future residents depends on prior major improvement in public transport (as well as public rights of way/'active' travel facilities) to make travel other than by car a realistic and attractive choice. I do not see such a radical and transformative tranportation vision in the Draft Black Country Plan: rather, it seems that while Walsall is to receive a disproportionate share of the conurbation's new housing, other areas will receive transport investment. That cannot be either sustainable or right. [ENDS]
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 16555
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: Friends of the Earth Stourbridge
Transport: (BC Plan pg. 174 – 200)
In Dudley 31% of greenhouse gas emissions are from transport. 41% of
the population use public transport, walking or cycling for daily travel.
There are currently only 34 electric vehicle charging points in the borough.
We want Dudley MBC to support the reduction of air pollution to meet World Health
Organisation levels, match European best practice in the use of buses cycling and
walking and ensure all vehicles are zero emission. Dudley MBC should commit more
Friends of the Earth Stourbridge: 11.10.21:
6
investment in the walking and cycling infrastructure to join up routes and provide
extra cycle lanes.
We want to see a 50% increase in people using public transport, walking
and cycling in the Borough. Cycle parks should be strategically placed at bus and
railway stations.
Traffic calming measures should be introduced in all residential areas to slow traffic,
increase public safety and reduce emissions. For example, there are major problems
with traffic at all major arterial road leading to and from Dudley Town centre, on
Stourbridge Ring Road, through Amblecote, Wordsley an Kingswinford, Russells
Hall, Merry Hill, Quarry Bank Brierley Hill, Colley Gate and more. At Oldswinford
Cross, Stourbridge and similar sites there are no proper pedestrian
crossings. Halesowen Road, Netherton is identified among the top 10 most polluted
areas in the West Midlands and currently breaches air quality standards. Dudley
Borough has a major traffic congestion problem which must be addressed
immediately to ensure we can tackle the Climate Emergency and to ensure the
improved health and wellbeing of those who live and work in the Borough.
It is essential that Dudley Council work with West Midlands Transport Authority to
invest in a sustainable public transport network. Routes need to be accessible and
joined up. It has to be easy for people to leave their cars at home. Local bus
services should be fare free and go where people need them at the right times and
there is an incentive to not drive.
This is not just about commuting but also about social justice, health and well-being
too. For example, re-introducing Sunday services from rail and main bus depots to
places like Kinver or Clent so people can access nature and green space when they
have family time together.
We need to encourage parents and children to walk more to and from schools.
Currently many residential areas have poor air quality near schools as parents or
taxis drive children to school and leave engines idling in the street. This cause of this
behaviour is often that they don’t their children are safe to walk or cycle.
Reinstatement of existing rails routes for passengers and freight should be
considered rather than spending money on new metro track which does not even
join up the public transport network to Stourbridge and mainline rail junctions. Key
centres and national rail links need to be included in the transport network for
example the Brierley Hill to Stourbridge Junction rail link. Transport depots with
toilet /washing and refreshment facilities for freight drivers should be located at
suitable supply hubs in the borough and have electric charging points from
renewables installed.
Fleet vehicles such as those used by Dudley MBC should be sustainable and run on
renewable energy by 2030.
The FoE target for the installation of EV charging points in the Borough by
2030 is 1549.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 16861
Received: 10/10/2021
Respondent: Friends of the Earth
Agent: Gerald Kells
We welcome the emphasis on supporting public transport but we are
concerned that the plan still includes support for significant additional road
funding, including (TRAN1) Motorway Junction Improvements which will only
increase the pressure on local roads and a new link road between the M6Toll
and the M54. We would argue that it is far more important to fund local
public transport improvements.
We also remain dubious of the benefits of the A34 Sprint, especially if it
simply replaces services such as the X51. What is needed is much more
significant investment and prioritisation of Public Transport.
We are also concerned that the ambition for sustainable modes, such as
walking and cycling are not high enough. Policies TRAN 3 and 5 should
positively prioritise those modes over car travel and should seek to break
down barriers which prevent use of sustainable modes such as unsafe road
crossings.
Object
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 17159
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: Worcestershire County Council
Transport and Infrastructure Policies
Within the emerging Plan, there are a number of policies relevant to transport and of interest to WCC Highways. We particularly welcome policies DEL1 - Infrastructure Provision, Tran1 - Priorities for the Development of the Transport Network, and Tran3 - Managing Transport Impacts of New Development. Having reviewed these policies in detail, we feel there may be some minor amendments that may be beneficial in positively supporting the delivery of planned growth. We look forward to discussing these with you as we further engage to progress the transport evidence base.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 17233
Received: 07/10/2021
Respondent: Mr John Miller
Whilst some major roads are named in the Plan for improvement no mention is made of the A491. This is already a very busy arterial route at most times of the day. Although Dudley Council has made a few minor improvements it is still a hige bottleneck and will only get worse unless drastic action is taken. Time to brush off plans for the Western Orbital Route?
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 17467
Received: 08/10/2021
Respondent: Mr Peter Orme
Where specialist establishments have to be built to serve a borough wide need (hospitals) these will be developed with an integrated transport policy at their hart that ensures we are all able to access a frequent public transport system that provides we are on that transport within fifteen minutes of leaving home. With this level of service being provided for at least eighteen hours a day seven days a week.
Object
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 17555
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: Sport England
Policy TRAN1 Priorities for the development of the transport network
Sport England supports part 2) of the policy that refers to all new developments must provide adequate access to all modes of travel including walking and cycling and the need to meet accessibility standards. However the policy stops short of requiring developments to contribute to a modal shift to active travel which seems a missed opportunity, since a strong case can be made for requiring developers to do their part to reduce reliance on private cars. Can the policy be stengthened to address this point? Sport England supports part 3) of the policy that includes reference to prioritising key transport corridors for active travel, though the key transport corridors listed in part 4) of the policy do not specifically include any priorities relating to walking and cycling, referring only to priorities for motorways, rail, rapid transit, key road corridors, and interchanges. The associated justification also doesn't make any reference to active travel priorities. This then suggests that the priorities are not active travel related? Can this be addressed by strengthening the policy to provide reference to key corridors for walking and cycling, potentially linked to the national cycle network, existing infrastructure such as canal towpaths etc?
Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 19396
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: L&Q Estates
Agent: Pegasus Group
Paragraph 9.2 - "generally support the approach identified in TRAN1 which includes safeguarding land needed for the implementation of priority transport networks, providing adequate access to all modes of travel in association with new developments, key transport corridors being prioritised through the delivery of new infrastructure to support various transport improvements and the various identified specific transport improvements."
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 19397
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: L&Q Estates
Agent: Pegasus Group
Paragraph 9.2 - "it is unclear how paragraph 9.220, which predicts that bus services will have recovered at a faster rate than even rail or metro by 2026, has been evidenced. In addition, the emphasis on bus services should recognise that congestion is likely to be a significant factor both on patronage, attractiveness of the bus and journey times."
Support
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 22279
Received: 21/01/2022
Respondent: Miss Jodi Stokes
8.0 TRANSPORT
8.1 Part 2 of draft Policy TRAN1 (Priorities for the Development of the Transport Network) sets out that “all new developments must provide adequate access for all modes of travel, including walking, cycling and public transport. Residential development will be expected to meet the accessibility standards set out elsewhere in this Plan”. We agree that it is appropriate for new developments to provide access for sustainable transport modes where possible.
Comment
Draft Black Country Plan
Representation ID: 22375
Received: 11/10/2021
Respondent: ROSCONN STRATEGIC LAND
Policy TRAN1 – Priorities for the Development of the Transport Network includes reference at Part (1) to safeguarding land needed for the implementation of priority transport projects to allow for their future delivery. Part (4) also lists a number of key transport priorities identified for delivery during the lifetime of the BCP in respect of road, rail and rapid transit infrastructure.
RSL fully support the content of this policy as this will support the clear objective for a step change in public transport provision within the Black Country, which can help serve and link centres, improve sustainable transport facilities, improve connectivity to national networks and improve the efficiency of strategic highway networks. These are essential as part of a package of measures to address the climate change crisis, whilst also key to helping support both proposed housing and economic growth.
However, RSL are unclear as to how land is to be safeguarded within the BCP and consider that the policy and/or the wider Transport Section of the BCP would benefit from additional detail, particularly in regard to specific projects that are key to securing the required step change to ensure these are not compromised. It is also of relevance to make reference to the recent WMCA Board approval of the bid to the Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) fund in September 2021, which covers a wide range of projects that would be funded within the Black Country, including extensions to the Metro network, a new railway station at Aldridge and development of key interchanges such as Dudley Port.